The 29-year-old, from Edmund Road, Foleshill, is also charged with assaulting his ex-girlfriend Tara Rafiq and threatening violence towards Mr Nasser.

He denies all the charges.

Rob McMaster, prosecuting, told the jury yesterday that Ali and Miss Rafiq had been in a relationship for two years before splitting about two years ago.

He said: "You will hear that Tara met another person and it is the crown's case that the defendant took great exception to that relationship.

"In short he became jealous and it is that jealousy that led to the defendant facing the three counts today."

It is alleged that twice between January 1 and March 23 this year, Ali threatened Mr Nasser with a metal steering lock from his car.

The court heard that on both occasions Ali pulled over after seeing Mr Nasser in the street and began questioning him about his relationship with Miss Rafiq.

Then, on March 22 this year, the couple were walking along Stoney Stanton Road in the early evening when Ali pulled over in his car.

Mr McMaster said: "The defendant attacked Tara. He punched her in the ribs and at this point Mr Nasser put his hand on the defendant's shoulder. Mr Nasser saw him turn and attack him with an object he later realised was a screwdriver."

He described how the screwdriver went through Mr Nasser's skull above his left eye, damaging the lining of his eye and leaving him permanently blind.

Giving evidence, Mr Nasser described how his body went numb and his left eye became immediately dark.